Sept. 16, 2009 — WASHINGTON, D.C., A diverse collaboration of healthcare leaders today released the AF Stat™ Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation to serve as a roadmap for reducing the burden of atrial fibrillation (AFib) in the United States. The document outlines critical issues surrounding the management of AFib, and recommends priority actions in the areas of policy, management, education and quality.

“For far too long, AFib has flown under the radar of many healthcare professionals, policymakers and the public,” said Senator Bill Frist, M.D., former Senate Majority Leader and health policy advisor for AF Stat. “AFib disproportionately affects Medicare patients, yet the disease’s impact on both individuals and our healthcare system has never been fully defined or prioritized.”

Characterized by an irregular and frequently fast heartbeat, AFib is the most common form of heart arrhythmia. It affects approximately 2.5 million Americans, and its prevalence is expected to increase as the U.S. population ages. AFib is associated with a five-fold increase in risk for stroke ; worsens underlying cardiovascular disease ; and doubles the risk of all-cause mortality .

The disease is also expensive, costing the nation approximately $6.65 billion annually, much of which could be attributed to the increased hospital in-patient, emergency and medical services utilization rates for people with AFib . A report released today by Avalere Health, Medicare and Atrial Fibrillation: Consequences in Cost and Care references research estimating that costs associated with AFib may be as high as $15.7 billion5 per year, further reinforcing the need to prioritize AFib.

The report describes the burden of AFib on Medicare, and offers strategies to enhance quality of care, improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs associated with the disease. The report was prepared and funded as an outcome of AF Stat, a first-of-its-kind, national initiative that aims to elevate understanding, diagnosis and management of AFib among all those affected by this serious and increasingly prevalent cardiovascular disease.

AF Stat™ Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation Key Insights

The AF Stat Call to Action provides recommendations for four priority actions to reduce the burden of atrial fibrillation:

Policy and Advocacy — Educate and inform key stakeholders about the health risks associated with AFib and the importance of comprehensive management.

Education — Make tools available for all AFib stakeholders to facilitate greater understanding about its risks and the need for comprehensive early management, and to heighten awareness of the disease.

“Historically, there has been a disappointing lack of urgency to change the status quo surrounding AFib,” said Eric Prystowsky, M.D., AF Stat Medical Chair and Director of the Clinical Electrophysiology Laboratory, St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. “This Call to Action provides key public health directives that can motivate change and improve the understanding and management of AFib.”

To further help determine what actions to tackle first, AF Stat invites anyone affected by, or interested in AFib to go to www.AFStat.com to rank recommended priority actions.

About the “AF Stat™: A Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation” report

The recommendations presented in the AF Stat Call to Action were compiled through interviews and meetings with members of AF Stat ? a collaboration of 24 organizations and individuals representing the advocacy, medical, government, professional, aging, caregiver, employer, payer and cardiovascular sectors. Together, AF Stat aims to elevate understanding, diagnosis and management of AFib among all parties affected by the disease. AF Stat is sponsored by sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC, which provided funding for this report.

About the Medicare and Atrial Fibrillation: Consequences in Cost and Care report

Medicare and Atrial Fibrillation: Consequences in Cost and Care was written by Avalere Health and funded by sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC, which is the sponsor for AF Stat. Avalere maintained editorial control and the conclusions expressed in the report are those of the author.

About AF Stat™

AF Stat is a collaboration of healthcare leaders and organizations working to improve the health and well-being of people affected by atrial fibrillation. AF Stat is raising awareness of AFib as a complex, costly, progressive and often debilitating disease. It also is calling for and helping promote a change in attitudes and behaviors to enhance AFib understanding, diagnosis and management. AF Stat is sponsored by sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC. More information can be found at www.AFStat.com

AF Stat is an initiative sponsored by sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC, which also funded the Medicare and Atrial Fibrillation: Consequences in Cost and Care report.